December 2014: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released a briefing paper on workshop findings that identified a gender gap in water management leadership in the region, and proposed measures to build up women’s technical and managerial skills, as well as provide leadership opportunities.

The briefing paper, titled ‘Women, Water and Leadership: ADB Briefs No. 24,’ outlines the findings of a joint ADB-International Water Management Institute (IWMI) workshop that took place from 13 – 14 February 2014 in Manila, the Philippines. The workshop was organized on the theme of ‘From the Shallows to the Deep: Who is Taking the Lead? Women, Water and Leadership.’

The briefing paper cites research showing, at the national level, a correlation between the number of women in elected positions and the formulation of policies and legislation related to women’s issues, including water and agriculture services, day care and street lighting. At the local level, women’s participation and leadership in local government have led to greater investment in issues such as safe drinking water, sanitation, childcare services, drainage, and street lighting.

The author calls for reducing “the democratic gender deficit” in leadership on water management, and recommends, inter alia: building capacity of women through various approaches, such as blended learning, coaching, mentoring and exchange programmes; establishing scholarships, apprenticeships, internships and other incentives for women to pursue technical careers in engineering; enabling more women to take part in international policy dialogues; and establishing temporary special measures, including targets, to proactively increase the numbers of women in professional, technical and managerial roles within the water industry.

At the community level, the briefing paper recommends increasing leadership opportunities for women through the use of temporary special measures, quotas and targets in community-based groups, such as water user associations, and developing women’s leadership and decision-making skills through training, mentoring, and skills building. It also recommends enabling women to have greater ownership of land and other fixed assets, as a means of empowerment. [Publication: Women, Water and Leadership] [Workshop Web Page]